We’re fighting for
A Better Judiciary
Rigging the System
In 2018, a well-funded Super PAC (called “Safety and Justice for All”) was set up by wealthy tort attorneys with the intent of raising and spending big money on elections supporting their preferred judges. (Read our special investigation “Follow the Money”).
By October 2018 — mere weeks before Election Day — they had amassed a war chest of over $345,000 to influence the election. Though previous judicial races remained relatively nonpartisan, the tort lawyers dumped their money into races supporting judges who would seemingly best align with their trial agendas.
What happened next would shock the political world in New Mexico.
The PAC released a series of hard-hitting ads attacking 5 incumbent judges and labeling them as “puppets”. The ad was harshly criticized by members of all parties. But the trial lawyers were unfazed and undeterred by the blowback, instead they doubled-down on their support of the ads.
All 5 of the judges that the tort lawyers targeted in the ads would go on to lose their elections.
The “Safety and Justice for All” Super PAC — founded by wealthy trial lawyers supporting Democrat judges — released this ad which received widespread condemnation for its partisan attacks. All 5 judges of the judges attacked in it would go on to lose their reelection bids.
“This overt and rancorous appeal to partisanship is antithetical to the concept of judicial independence and the rule of law.”
Former Court of Appeals Judge
Santa Fe New Mexico, 10/19/18
Did you know?
All 5 of New Mexico’s Supreme Court justices come from within 70 miles of each other.
In fact, 4 of the 5 justices have served in either the First Judicial District or the Second Judicial District.
It’s not fair that the judges (and opinions!) of the State Supreme Court all come from such a small area, centered around the I-25 corridor that connects Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
We are missing out on the diverse representation of other judicial districts from throughout our state.
Out of the 13 judicial districts in New Mexico, 4 of the 5 current NM Supreme Court justices have served in either the First Judicial District (Santa Fe) or Second Judicial District (Albuquerque). The fifth judge was raised in Santa Fe. Map courtesy Google Maps.
We believe the judges of the New Mexico Supreme Court should be elected regionally — and represent different areas of our state — so that we have justices who reflect the many people, cultures, and ideologies of New Mexico.
Our courts shouldn’t be controlled by the highest bidders
We are committed to reforming our justice system to make it fairer for New Mexico and above the influence of partisan tort lawyers. It’s time for the people to take back control of our courts.
It’s up to us to stop the hundreds of thousands of dollars that are flooding our elections and controlling who sits on the bench.
¡Mañana Mejor! is working to support judges who defend our freedoms and represent the interests of the people, not PACs funded by trial attorneys. It’s time we work together to reduce the influence of special interests in judicial elections and make a better judiciary for all.
